Mink

Specializing in lean, tuneful power pop, Mink were formed in New York City in the spring of 2006 by New York singer Neal Carlson and Sydney, Australia, musicians Stella Mozgawa (drums), Nick Maybury (guitar), David Lowy (guitar), and Grant Fitzpatrick (bass). Carlson had been introduced to the others by his Australian manager, and after several late-night jam sessions, the band came together as a crisp unit led by Carlson's impassioned, energetic vocals and Mozgawa's propulsive drumming. Mink garnered a lot of attention after one of their songs, "Pressure Pressure," was prominently featured in ESPN's coverage of the major league baseball playoffs in 2006. The group's self-titled debut album, produced by Sylvia Massy, was released by Spitfire Music in 2007.